By MARK CASHMAN

St Joseph’s College got their defence of the NSW GPS title off on the right foot with a 40-29 win over The Scots College on Saturday.

Joeys scored six tries to five in a bright opening to the competition that was only give the green light to start by NSW Health and the State Government on Thursday.

Earlier the entire winter sporting calendar of the Athletic Association of the Greater Public Schools had been suspended because of concerns around the Covid-19 pandemic.

The defending premiers were just about untouchable in the first 35 minutes playing a wide ranging game that rewarded them with 26 unanswered points.

That was the scoreline (26-0) at halftime at Scots and the visitors looked set to go even further ahead when they fumbled close to the try-line off the kick off only for the home side to take the ball 100m and get themselves back in the contest.

That made the score 26-7 and Scots felt that the game was very much a contest and played that way for much of the next 40 minutes.

“Our first half was great and we moved the ball around well and came up with a number of tries,” Joeys Rugby Master Andrew Blades said.

“Above all it was great to see the boys get on to the field and compete in what has been a very taxing year for us all.

“We like to get some pace into our game and run teams off their feet – we were able to achieve that for much of the first half.

“Scots are a big side and defend well. The second half was a different proposition and they managed to get themselves back into the game.

“It’s an unusual year that for sure, but from what I have been seeing it’s going to be a very close competition with injuries and short turnarounds sure to play a key role.”

Joeys actually had their traditional First XV jumper presentation earlier in the week without parents and the rest of the school in attendance.

The King’s School, considered by many to be the warm favourites for the 2020 title, got their season off to a good start when they scored seven tries to two against Riverview in a 43-14 victory.

In the other game Newington College defeated Shore 34-21.

The details:

NEWINGTON 34 (McLean 2, Flynn, Mooney 2, Villiamu, Taukamo; Fell 2 conversions) d SHORE 21 (White, Moses, Murray; Murray 3 conversions)

THE KING’S SCHOOL 43 (Penisini 2, Usher, Fahey, Johnston, Rouse, Stewart tries; Wilson 4 conversions) d ST IGNATIUS COLLEGE 14 (Egan, Cressey tries; Cressy 2 conversions)

ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE 40 (Websdale, Dalton, O’Kane, Jorgensen, Maffey, Unknown tries; Dowling 5 conversions) d THE SCOTS COLLEGE 29 (McCathie 2, Clifton 2, McMullen tries; McMullen 2 conversions)